Former Dalton Mayor Calls for Federal Aid to Combat Crime

Former Dalton Mayor and Thornton Township Supervisor, Tiffany Henyard, has made an appeal to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, urging them to accept federal assistance for crime reduction. This call comes after a personal tragedy; Henyard shared that her father fell victim to gun violence.

In her statement, which she made public on social media, Henyard introduced herself as “Super Mayor Tiffany A. Henyard.” She expressed, “Yes, it’s true. My family has been directly affected by the senseless gun violence that continues to plague Illinois. Yesterday, my father, my hero, was the innocent victim of this random and heartbreaking violence.”

She further implored Pritzker and Johnson to reconsider accepting federal aid from President Donald Trump, mentioning that, across the nation, some communities that have welcomed such help have seen notable decreases in crime rates. In her words, “Cities like Memphis, Tennessee, Washington, D.C., and New Orleans, Louisiana, are all seeing positive results through collaborative efforts.”

Henyard emphasized that Illinois residents “deserve to feel safe in their homes and neighborhoods,” adding, “The difference between Illinois and other states is simple: Illinois’ leaders choose to work together, and that collaboration produces results.”

She conveyed her desire for Pritzker to work with Trump to ensure safety for residents and thanked the public for their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

On Wednesday, Henyard’s father was reported injured in a shooting incident in North Lawndale, precisely in the 1300 block of South Kedzie Avenue. Authorities stated that a 65-year-old man was shot and subsequently transported to the hospital in critical condition.

Henyard, who previously lost the 2025 Democratic primary for Dalton mayor, is now running for a position on the Fulton County Commission in Georgia as a Republican.